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Career Skills 2

Interview LogisticsToday’s lesson will focus on:

How to maintain a good impressions from receiving an interview email to getting your offer letter!

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Class Agenda:Interview Logistics

At the end of today’s session, you should feel better answering the following questions:1. What should I do before the interview?2. What should I do during the interview?3. What should I do after the interview?4. Where do you see yourself in 5 years5. What is your ideal work environment?6. Why should we hire you?7. Do you have any questions for us?

This session’s topics will be:• Before the Interview• During the Interview• After the Interview• Common Interview Questions (Continued)• Mock Interview

Deliverables: • Assignment 09-Interview Preparation (Cont’d)• Assignment 10-Mock Interview (1st Attempt)Due: End of Session

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Hello,

Thank you for applying for the position of IT Assistant at Byte Back. The purpose of thisemail communication is to confirm your interview.Below you will find the location, date, and time for the interview:Location: Byte Back, Inc.

899 North Capitol Street NEWashington, DC 20007Student Huddle Room

Date: Friday, February 8thTime: 11:30 am

We look forward to seeing you. Please feel free to reach out to me at the contactinformation below with any requests or concerns. Have a great evening.

What Now?

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Before the Interview: Location

Know Where You’re Going Beforehand and How To Get There

• Google Maps or any Map App can work• You should consider the following:

– Travel Time– Bus Routes/Schedules– Parking– Weather

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Before the Interview: Attire

Prepare your clothing the night before– Iron, Steam, whatever!

Try it on the night before– Helps you notice missed stains, rips, etc.

Choose to Dress to Impress!– Let’s review…

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Before the Interview: AttireActivity

Who would you want to interview?

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Before the Interview: Attire (Men)Business Professional Professional Casual

Appropriate for Most Jobs,Can be seen as “overdressing”

Appropriate for Most Jobs

GenerallySuggested Against

• Full SuitOR• Use of Blazer AND Tie

• Button Up Shirt• Tie and Blazer Optional• Sweater/Cardigan• Non-jean Pants

• Short/Rolled Up Sleeves• Use of sneakers• Jeans

Management JobsGovernment Jobs

IT JobsAdministrative JobsMost Entry Level Jobs

AdminJobs

Start Up JobsCertain Retail JobsWarehouse Jobs

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Before the Interview: Attire (Women)Business Professional Professional Casual

Appropriate for Most Jobs,Can be seen as “overdressing”

Appropriate for Most Jobs

GenerallySuggested Against

• Pant Suit• Use of Blazer• Dress

• Sweater/Cardigan/Blouse• Professional Pants/Skirt

• No Blouse/Untucked• Use of Sneakers/Boots• Jeans

Management JobsGovernment Jobs

Administrative JobsMost Entry Level Jobs

Start Up JobsCertain Retail JobsWarehouse Jobs

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Before the Interview: AttireKeep In Mind

• Don’t be too LOUD or use patterns that are too busy.

• Neutral Colors are a safe bet: Black, Gray, Navy, Tan. Pops of color are fine.

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Before the Interview: AttireWhat to Avoid

• Too Many/Distracting accessories• Non-Religious Headwear

– Headwraps are acceptable• Shorts/Athletic Wear

– Sweatpants, Sneakers, Etc.• Anything too Revealing• Ill Fitting Clothing

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Before the Interview:Knowing Your Stuff

1. Review Posting– Job Responsibilities

2. Review Website– Mission– Core Values– Specific Programs– Blog Stories

3. Review Strategic Plan– Goals within next few years

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During the Interview: TimingDon’t arrive more than 15 minutes early

– Relax at a coffee shop if early

Don’t be even 1 second late– Prepare

Treat those with respect– Your interview starts the second you enter the building and

how you treat those around you

Power Posing: A Helpful Time-Filler?– https://youtu.be/zmR2A9TnIso?t=45

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During the Interview: Your First 90 SecondsOverview

• In a survey of 2000 bosses, 33% stated they knew within the first 90 seconds of an interview whether they will hire someone.

• When meeting new people, 55% of the impact comes from the way the person dresses, acts and walks through the door.

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During the Interview: Your First 90 SecondsExamples

Let’s Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVK-xbdddhA&t=85s

Recap:– Don’t ask for salary or benefits too early– Avoid interrupting interviewer(s)– Listen and focus on interviewer(s)– Come with all items you may need– Turn off phone and no drinks or food– Focus on open, confident body language

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During the Interview: Body Language

Good IdeaMaintaining Eye Contact with Interviewer

Giving a strong handshake to each interviewerMatching energy of interviewer• Tone, Speed, etc.

Bad Idea Crossing your arms/legs

Touching Your Face

Fidgeting

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After the Interview: Thank You!Overview

In a TopResume 2017 Survey, 358 recruiters and hiring managers were asked:

“After interviewing a candidate, does receiving a thank-you email/note impact your decision-making process?”

68% confirmed yes

• 16% completely dismissed a candidate because they didn’t receive a thank-you email or note after an interview

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After the Interview: Thank You! Never Too Late…or Too Soon.

• Collect the business cards of interviewers before you head out of the interview.

• Draft and send personalized thank you within 24 business hours.– Not too fast because that can make the email

seem canned, at least give around 6 hours.– Be willing to wait over weekends as it is unlikely

other candidates would move through, and would allow you to be remembered the next Monday.

– Studies show most employers read emails that were sent before 11am the same day.

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After the Interview: Thank You! E-mail Components

A Thank You E-mail should include:• Thanking Interviewer for time and consideration.• A Reminder of who you were.• A note referencing a specific part of the interview.• Reiterating main qualifications for position.• If necessary, addressing any concerns brought up

or interview answers fumbled.

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After the Interview: Thank You! Example

• A Reminder of who you were.• Thanking Interviewer for time and consideration.• Reiterating main qualifications for position.• A note referencing a specific part of the interview.• If necessary, addressing any concerns brought up or interview answers fumbled.

Dear Ms. Employer:Good afternoon, this is Bock Szymkowicz who interviewed with you Monday for the Career Coordinator position. I spoke about how my commitment for service was inspired by my mother and her journey through the social services system. I wanted to thank you again for taking the time to hear my qualifications for the position. As I stated, with my 5+ years or career service experience and working with similar populations, I am confident I would be a strong fit for this position. During the interview, I particularly resonated with how you mentioned the goal of the first 90 days would be getting to know them team, as I agree this is an important aspect of integrating into a job.I also wanted to address my answer for the question, “How would you handle an upset customer,” upon further reflection….

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Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?Main Idea: Show Career Goals align with position and if you have

realistic expectations.

1. What responsibilities or tasks will you be hopefully be carrying out in 5 years?

2. How do you hope to grow within this company and position?3. Are there any trainings or education you’d hope to add to your

repertoire? Or required ones to meet the tasks outlined in question one?

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Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years? Mistakes

• Giving a Specific Role– “I want to be a manager.”– “I’ll be in your seat!”

• Implying you’ll leave soon– “I want to run my own company in 5 years.”

• Unrealistic Expectations– “I hope to end poverty.”

• Anything Irrelevant– “I want to be a cook.”

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Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?Examples

1. What responsibilities or tasks will you be hopefully be carrying out in 5 years?2. How do you hope to grow within this company and position?3. Are there any trainings or education you’d hope to add to your repertoire? Or

required ones to meet the tasks outlined in question one?

In 5 years my goal is to work in a position that will allow me to manage and mentor other employees. As my skills grow within the company, I hope to address more challenging and specific tasks. To get there, I’m aiming to pursue further certifications in Microsoft Office and ideally train myself in coaching others.

My goal is to eventually work in Cybersecurity. By working at this company I’d aim to hone and develop my skills in troubleshooting and coding. In addition, I would pursue Security+ and Network+, and learn about Security software, such as Cisco.

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What Is Your Ideal Work Environment?Main Idea: State what type of environment will allow you to work

best.

1. Think about when you work best, what type of environment or management style would allow that?

2. What type of environment, or management style, would you hope to avoid?

Other ways to think of this question:• What type of culture are you looking for?• How do you prefer to be managed?

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What is Your Ideal Work Environment?Mistakes

• Being too specific/Giving too many examples– “I want to work in a blue cubicle.”– “I want time to focus. Don’t want happy hours.

Want boss to encourage me. Casual attire.”• Being negative

– “I don’t want this…”

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What is Your Ideal Work Environment?Examples

1. Think about when you work best, what type of environment or management style would allow that?

2. What type of environment, or management style, would avoid, or mitigate, that?

I work best when I’m given ample time to focus on a project. I prefer to work in environments where project time can be indicated and respected, and in turn there be clear socializing or collaboration time.

I’m always more eager to perform when I feel my boss trusts my ability. When managers are able to give clear guidelines and allow me to arrive with the best answer, giving constructive feedback as needed is the type of management style I’d prefer.

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Why Should We Hire You?Main Idea: Why should you be selected over 10

other applicants with similar experience?

1. Clearly Address How You Line Up With the Job Description.

2. Discuss Relevant and Unique Qualities you will bring to the position

Other ways to think of this question:• Why are you the right fit for a position?• Why are you the best candidate for the job?

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Why Should We Hire You?Mistakes

• Weak Wording– “I think I’m a good fit because…”– “I believe I’m a good fit because…”

• Guilt Tripping– “I need this job or my family won’t eat.”– NOTE: It is okay to mention family, but don’t

make them bargaining chips.

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Why Should We Hire You?:Lining Self Up With Job Description (IT)

The IT Assistant will troubleshoot, document, and resolve technical issues with local and remote equipment. He/she will coordinate calls with information technology (IT) vendors and providers. He/she will configure and maintain equipment like PCs, printers, scanners, phones, and network equipment.

Must have General Working Knowledge of:• Windows 10• Office 365 Exchange Email

Must have Organizational Skills:• Assist in planning a project thoroughly to completion• Document and organize all aspects of the IT department• Schedule maintenance with dozens of end users in

multiple locations/time zones

Must have Good Communication Skills:• Be able to communicate concisely with users in all levels • Respond to calls and emails promptly

Prefer to have Research Skills:• To be given a research project and learn all aspects of it• To document findings of research clearly

The ideal candidate will:• Will have knowledge of new technologies and will be

flexible and eager to grow and learn. This will be real-world application, not a classroom. Be ready to adapt.

With my training and background, I am confident I can resolve technical issues, coordinate call, and configure and maintain equipment, with familiarity in Windows 10 and Office 365, all of which are requested in your posting. Beyond this, my past jobs have given me organization, communication, and research skills, where I have planned sales projects to completion, clearly communicated projects, and performed research as necessary. Also, as my recent study and training in A+ shows, I am eager to continue to learn and stay abreast in this field.

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Why Should We Hire You?:Your Relevant and Unique Qualities

• Relate this back to your personal brand, and utilize your body language, tone, and demeanor to exude confidence.

“As previously mentioned, I am extremely passionate about helping others, as shown through my 5+ years of work in this field to get 100+ positions for DC residents, and will work relentlessly for the success of your customers, my coworkers, and the company overall.”

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Your Final Impression: Do You Have Any Questions For Us?

• Best to do research on company and ask questions specific to the position and/ or company.– You can write them on a notepad that you can bring to the

interview

• But if all else fails:– Ask a question about the employer.

• People love to talk about themselves– Ask a question that shows you want to succeed/learn more.

• Shows proactiveness

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Your Final Impression: Do You Have Any Questions For Us?

• Best to do research on company and ask questions specific to the position and/ or company.– You can write them on a notepad that you can bring to the

interview

• But if all else fails:– Ask a question about the employer.

• People love to talk about themselves– Ask a question that shows you want to succeed/learn more.

• Shows proactiveness

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Assignment 10-Mock Interviews• Use the Mock Interview sheet to perform a mock

interview with a fellow student.

• Ask them the question and take notes in the unshaded section, then note 1-2 strengths and 1-2 suggestions for the student, and grade them from 1-5 based on their answer.

• You can choose to ask each other one question at a time, or perform a whole mock interview one way, then switch, whichever works best.

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Class Review:Interview Logistics

How do you feel about answering the following questions?1. What should I do before the interview?2. What should I do during the interview?3. What should I do after the interview?4. Where do you see yourself in 5 years5. What is your ideal work environment?6. Why should we hire you?7. Do you have any questions for us?

Please turn in the following Assignments:• 09-Interview Questions (Contd)• 10-Mock Interview